Milligan sub show

Jamie Milligan impressed in the draw against Southend as he enjoyed more than an hour on the pitch for the first time in the league this season, after replacing the injured Barry Ferguson in the first

By Mike McGough

Jamie Milligan impressed in the draw against Southend as he enjoyed more than an hour on the pitch for the first time in the league this season, after replacing the injured Barry Ferguson in the first half.

The midfielder played a full half in the FA Cup last weekend, and he expressed his delight as he helped Town to a vital draw against the league’s in-form team, as Highbury welcomed new manager Graham Alexander to the Fylde coast.
The 32-year-old is looking to put a stamp on his place in the side ahead of Saturday’s tough test against Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium.
He said: “I really enjoyed the game. It was a bit difficult towards the end, which I think is understandable with me not playing a lot of football in the last few months but I enjoyed it and I want to keep playing.
“It is up to the manager and his assistant but hopefully I have done enough to keep my place, as I didn’t think I did anything wrong to be honest. I do need to get that little bit fitter, but that will come with games.”
The long-serving Town player – now in his second spell at Highbury - admitted he was happy with the result against a physical Southend United side, who are in contention for a play-off spot after an impressive run of results recently.
He continued: “It was a very good point, the new manager and his assistant have only been in a day so it’s hard to get across and indicate what they really want but, we have put a good shift in and it’s not a bad point to be fair.”
“It is always good to get a point at home. It would obviously have been nice to get a result in the gaffer’s first game, but we’ll take the point.
“They were a strong team, a big physical side and they turned us around and they get the second ball and they fight for everything. You can see why they are doing well, but I think we created quite a few half chances even though I think that they had the better of the opportunities, which they didn’t take fortunately but, it is a good start (under the new manager).”
Milligan believes that Fleetwood are only a win away from kick-starting a good run and reliving their earlier form from the season.
“Saturday will be a tough game, they are flying at the top of the table, but I think that with the squad we’ve got and the players we’ve got, there is no reason why we can’t go and get a result there.”
“We need to get that win and get another run going, once we get that victory, we’ll be OK I think.”